Structural brace



Nov. 29, 1966 w. D. BRIGGS 3,288,504

STRUCTURAL amos Filed Aug. 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 29, 1966 w. D.BRIGGS STRUCTURAL BRACE I 9 l Je um. m.

.w u 4 F 6 INVENTOR.

United States nPatent 3,288,504 STRUCTURAL BRACE William D. Briggs,Dolton, Ill., assignor to Joslyn Mfg. and Supply Co., Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 305,431 4 Claims.(Cl. 287-189.36)

The present invention relates to structural braces, and moreparticularly, to structural braces for connecting a pair of parallelelongated supports such as poles utilized for supporting electricaltransmission lines.

The present invention has for an object the provision of a new andimproved structural brace of the type described which is highly eicientin maintaining the supports in parallel relation to one another as thesupports are loaded with transverse loads in varying amounts anddirections such as those imposed by high winds or' other weatherphenomena.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedstructural brace for structurally connecting parallel supports such ascommon wooden telephone poles having non-uniform cross-sections anduneven surfaces thereon.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved structural brace for Iuse as described in the precedingparagraph wherein there are provided means for properly attaching thebrace structure to the poles without the necessity for shaving orslicing olf portions of the pole in order to provide an even surface forreceiving the brace structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved structural brace of the type described which is positionedentirely between the supports and is centered on a plane intersectingthe longitudinal axes of the supports.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved structural brace of the type described wherein there areprovided a pair of diagonally crossing cross-members between thesupports having their ends secured to the supports and each of saidmembers having a face abutting the face on the other member along thearea of crossing between the members and lying generally in a planeextending through the longitudinal axes of the supports.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved structural brace of the type described wherein saidcross-members are constructed of wood and means are provided forsecuring the members in close abutting relation along the area ofcrossing and for securing the ends of the members to the supports,whereby the stress developed Iby a transverse loading on the supportsand structure is more uniformly distributed through the cross-members ofthe supports.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved structural brace of the type described wherein the meansattaching the ends of the cross-members to the supports are positionedto transmit the loading stress to the supports in a manner minimizingthe torsional stresses in the latter.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved structural brace of the type described wherein the meanssecuring the cross-members in abutting relation to one another along thearea of crossing more uniformly distributes the stress between themembers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedbrace structure of the type described which can be rapidly and simplyconnected to the supports and which is simple and economical toconstruct and pre-assemble.

These and other objects of the present invention are ICC accomplished bythe provision of a new and improved brace for structurally connecting apair of elongated parallel supports such as poles and comprising a pairof diagonal cross-members adapted to be positioned between the supports.Each of the cross-members is provided with a face and is positionedrelative to the other so that the Vfaces closely abut each other alongan area where the members cross with the `faces lying generally in aplane which intersects the longitudinal axes of the poles. Clampingmeans are provided for securing the cross-members in close abuttingrelation along the area of crossing to distribute the stress between themembers. Bracket means are secured to the poles adjacent the ends of the-cross-members and are provided with webs which extend inwardly betweenthe poles and lie generally in the aforementioned plane, in ordereffectively to distribute the stresses from the cross-members in amanner reducing the torsional stresses upon the poles. Additionally,means secured to ends of the ends of said crossmembers including strapsadapted to abut both sides of the webs are provided for securing thecross-members to the bracket means and for providing uniformdistribution of stress within the cross-members.

The invention, both as to organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages, will be best understood byreference to the following detailed description and claims when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a broken, side elevational view of a brace structureconstructed in accordance with the features of the present invention andillustrated as it is utilized to connect elongated parallel supports orpoles;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 0f FIG. l;a

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the edge of a crossmernber utilized inthe structure of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cross-member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially alongline 5 5 of FIG. 6 and illustrating the connection between thecross-members and the web of the bracket means;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed side elevational view of a bracket usedfor connecting the cross-members to the poles;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the bracket of FIG. 7 looking in thedirection of the arrows 8 8; and

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view through the pole illustrating thebracket of FIG. 7 as secured thereon.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a brace structure,identied generally 4by the numeral 10, for structurally connecting apair of elongated supports such as the poles 12 which are supportedvertically in the ground for carrying electrical transmission lines.Poles of this type are generally circular in cross-section and aregenerally larger in diameter at the base than at the top. Because ofthis fact, it has heretofore been difficult to provide effective bracingbetween poles of this typel because of irregularities in the surfacesand dimensions, a difliculty which the -present invention alleviates. Itis to ybe understood, however, that poles or supports other thanvertical and'those having other than circular cross-sections can beeffectively braced with the structure of the present invention.

The brace `structure 10 includes a pair of diagonal cross-members 14interposed between the poles 12 and arranged to cross one another alongan area adjacent the central portion of the members. Each cross-member14 is provided with a face 16 and thel members are positioned andarranged with the faces 16 thereof abutting one another along thecentral crossing area and lying in a plane 18 which intersects thelongitudinal axes of the poles 12. The cross-members are preferablyconstructed of standard size timbers such as 2 X 4s, 4 x 6s or the like,but can be constructed of other material if desired.

In order to secure the cross-members tightly together adjacent thecrossing area with their faces 16 in close abutting relation to oneanother, there is provided a clamp means 2t). The clamp means 20includes a pair of straps 22 positioned to lie diagonally of thecross-members as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ends of the straps areprovided with holes through which bolts 24 are passed for clamping thestraps in place to secure the cross-members tightly together asprevioulsy described. This means for securing the cross-members togetheris advantageous in that no holes are required in the members themselveswhich would weaken them and, moreover, this type of clamping means canbe rapidly and easily installed to clamp members which cross at variousdifferent angles of intersection. By utilizing clamp means of this type,the stress in each member is more uniformly distributed between bothmembers because of the large area of contact between the faces 16 of themembers.

In order to secure the cross-members 14 to the poles 12, bracket means25 are bolted to the poles at positions adjacent the ends of thecross-members. The bracket means 25 are illustrated in detail in FIGS.7, 8 and 9 of the drawings and are preferably formed of a piece of steelplate that is punched and bent into the proper shape. Thus, each bracketmeans includes `a web 26 having a hole 28 therein for use in connectingthe end of one of the cross-members thereto. Integrally formed with theweb 26 are a `pair of oppositely directed, vertically displaced flanges30 and 32 which are adapted to abut the external surface of the pole 12as shown in FIG. 9. The flanges 30 and 32 are bent in oppositedirections from each other slightly less than 90 from the plane of theweb 26 so that when they are seated against a pole having a circularcross-section, two areas 34 and 36 of tangential contact with thesurface of the pole are established. The flange 30 is provided with aslotted hole 38 and the flange 32 with a slotted hole 40 in order toaccommodate mounting bolts 48 and 50, respectively, which extenddiametrically through the pole and receive nuts 48a to secure thebracket to the pole. It should be noted that vertical planes extendingalong the axes of the bolts intersect one another at a common point 52which lies on the common vertical plane 18 passing through thelongitudinal axes of the poles.

When the bracket is loaded in a transverse direction indicated by thearrow 54 (FIG. 9), the bolt 48 is under tension. This tension stress istransmitted through the bolt through the nuts 48a and through a washerplate 48h underlying the nuts and seated against the pole so that thetension force tends to subject the surface of the pole diametricallyopposite the flange 30 to a compressive stress, the resultant of whichacts along the bolt center line as indicated by the arrow pointed line56. At thel same time, the flange 32 subjects the pole to a compressivestress, the resul-tant of which acts substantially along the center lineof the bolt S as represented by the -arrow pointed line 58. Theseresultants substantially cancel each other tout in the directionparallel to the center plane 18 leaving only a small resultant force 60acting perpendicular to the line 18 through the point 52 and, as yaresult, only a very low torsion stress is developed. The bracket means25 accommodate poles of varying diameters and with-out necessitatingshaving or cutting of the pole surface in order to obtain a good fitbetween the flanges and the pole.

In order to secure the ends of the cross-members 14 to the bracket means25, both ends of each cross-member are provided with connecting means 62which are connected to the webs 26 of the brackets with bolts 64 whichpass through the holes 28 in the webs. Each connecting means includes astrap 66 which is attached in abutting relation to the face 16 of one ofthe members and extends beyond the ends thereof with holes 66a providedin the extending portions for accommodating the bolts 64. Eachconnecting means 62 further includes a Z-shaped strap 68 lying againstthe side 69 of the cross-member which side is Iopposite to the face 16.The straps 68 and 66 are secured to the members by means of a pair ofspaced bolts 70 running transversely through the cross-member adjacentits end portion. Each yof the straps 68 is provided with an intermediateleg 68a abutting the end of the cross-member and with an outwardlyextending leg 68h lying parallel to the outwardly extending portion ofthe strap 66 and spaced Itherefrom by a distance substantially equal tothe thickness of the web 26 of the bracket. The leg 68b `of each strap68 is provided with a hole 68C aligned with the hole 66a in the strap 66to accommodate the bolts 64 which, when tightened, tightly secure theweb 26 between the two straps.

Each -connecting means 62 further comprises a U-shaped strap 72 havinglegs 72a positioned to abut opposite sides 73 land 75 of thecross-member 14 and an intermediate leg 72b joined to the legs 72a andpositioned adjacent the end of the cross-member to overlie the leg 68aof the strap 68. The legs 72a are secured in abutting relation to thesides 73 and 75 of the cross-member by means of a pair of spaced bolts76 extending through the member and lying in a plane parallel to thefaces 16 Aand 69 of the members. The leg 72b in overlying the leg 68a ofthe strap aids in preventing the leg 68a from bending outwardly from theend of the cross-member when stress is applied tending to pull the`straps 66 and 68 outwardly from the end of the cross-member. Whenstress of this type is applied to the cross-member, part of it istransmitted to the cross-member through the bolts 70 and the straps 66and 68. The remaining stress is transmitted to the leg 72b of the strap72 by the leg 68a and through the portions 72a of the strap and bolts 76to the cross-member. In this manner, the stress is uniformly distributedto the cross-member.

When the brace structure and the poles are subject to a resultan-t sidetransverse force in the direction of the arrow pointed line 78 in FIG. lthe stress in uniformly distributed to both poles 12 through thecrossmembers, one cross-member being in tension land the other incompression. Since the faces 16 of these members land the webs 26 of thebrackets lie in the central plane 18 no torsional stress will result inthe poles from loading of this type.

When the stress is applied in the direction of the arrow pointed line 54in FIG. 2, the :resulting torsional stresses in the poles 12 will beminimized as before described in connection with the bracket 24 and itsmounting on the pole. Thus, the present invention provides a muchstronger structure than the offset type braces commonly used. Moreover,th'e brackets 24 can be positioned at various heights on the poles anddo not have to be level with one another since the cross-members can becut to the desired length on the job site. The straps 66, 68 and 72 aresimple in construction and can be easily secured to the cross-membersand the clamping means 20 is likewise simp-le in construction and can beeasily installed on the members to clamp them together. The brackets 24can be quickly and inexpensively manufactured and can be easilyinstalled on the poles even though the pole surfaces are rough anduneven.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to asingle embodiment thereof, it should be understood that numerous othermodifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the artthat fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new land desired to be `secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A brace `structure adapted t-o structurally interconnect a pair ofparallel elongated supports such as utility poles and the like, saidstructure comprising a pair of cross-members arranged to cross oneanother between said supports, each of said members having a face, saidfaces abutting each other along an .area where said members cross andlying in a plane generally coincident with the longitudinal axes of thesupports; a pai-r of straps positioned diagonally of said cross-memberson opposite sides thereof adjacent the crossing larea of saidcrossmember and each strap having opposite ends extending outwardly of arespective adjacent cross-member; means for interconnecting the oppositeends of said straps outwardly of said cross-members to hold said facesof said cross members together; a plurali-ty of bracket members, eachbeing adapted to interconnect one end of one of a respectivecross-member with a respective one of said supports, each bracket memberbeing formed from sheet material tand including a pair of oppositelydirected offset flanges adapted to abut .and be secured to the external`surface of said support and including a web structure extendinginwardly toward an opposite support; and a plurality of connectors, eachmounted adjacent an end of a respective cross-member each connectorincluding a first strap abutting a face of ysaid cross-member and havingan outer portion extending beyond the end thereof, each connectorincluding a Z-shaped strap having a lirst leg abutting a side of saidcross-member opposite said face thereof, an intermediate leg abuttingthe end of said cross-member, and an outer leg extending beyond the endof said cross-member in spaced parallel relation to the outer portion ofsaid first str-ap, said outer portion of said rst strap and said outeryleg of said Z- shaped strap positioned on opposite sides of the webstructure of a res-pective bracket member, means for connectingrespective web structures and said outer portions and outer legs ofrespective connectors, each said connector including ta U-shaped straphaving a pair of legs and a bight portion, each leg abutting arespective one of the opposite sides of said cross-member normal to saidface and the first-mentioned side thereof, said bight portion overlyingan intermediate leg of a respective Z-shaped member.

2. A brace structural .adapted to structurally interconnect a pair ofparallel elongated supports, said structure comprising a pair ofcross-members arranged to cross one another between said supports, eachof said members having a face, said faces abutting each other along anarea where said members cross and lying in a plane `which intersects thelongitudinal axis of the supports; a clamp means adjacent said crossingarea for securing said mem-bers in abutting relation; at least onebracket means for interconnecting the end of one of said cross-membersto -said support, said bracket means including a web structure extendingoutwardly from said support toward the end of said cross-member, and apair of mounting flanges extending in opposite directions angularlytransversely of said web structure adapted to bear against the surfaceof said pole, connector means mounted adjacent the end of saidcross-member for connection with said web structure including a firststrap abutting a face of said cross-member and including an outerportion extending outwardly from the end thereof,

said connector means including a Z-shaped strap having one leg labuttingthe side of said cross-member opposite said face, an intermediate legabutting the end of said cross-member, and van outer leg extendingoutwardly from the end of said cross-member in spaced parallel relationto the outer portion of the first strap to accommodate said webstructure therebetween; and a U- shaped strap having a pair of legs eachabutting a respective one of the opposite sides of said cross-memberslying between said face and the first-mentioned side thereof, and abight portion overlying said intermediate leg of said Z-shaped strap,and fastening means passing through said web structure, said outer legof said Z- shaped member and said outer portion of said lirst strap.

3. A cross-member of the type adapted to structurally interconnect apair of parallel elongated supports such as utility poles and the like,said cross-member comprising a structural, elongated member of generallyrectangular cross section, and :a pair of connectors mounted 4adjacentopposite ends of said member for interconnecting said member with asupport, each conneet-0r including a first strap abutting one face ofsaid member and including an outer portion extending beyond the end ofsaid member, each said connector including a Z-shaped str-ap having oneleg abutting a side of said member opposite said face thereof, anintermediate leg abutting the end of said member, and an outer legextending beyond the end of said member in spaced parallel relation tothe outer portion of said first strap, each of said connectors includinga U-shaped strap having a pair of legs, each abutting a respective oneof the sides of said member nor-mal to said face and a bight portionoverlying an intermediate leg of said Z-shaped strap.

4. A connecting assembly for interconnecting a pair of structuralmembers, said connecting assembly including a bracket having la pair offlanges adapted to be secured to one of said structural members and abutthe surface thereof and a web structure extending outwardly thereof awayfrom said member; and connector means mounted adjacent an end of theother structural member for connection to said bracket web structure,s-aidI connector means including a pair of straps extending outwardlyfrom the end of said structural 4member and adapted to lie on oppositefaces of said web structure for connection therewith, one of said strapscomprising a Z-shaped member having an intermediate leg overlying theend of said other structural member, said connector means including a U-shaped strap having Ia pair of legs secured to said other structuralmember and a bight portion overlying said intermediate leg -of saidZ-shaped strap.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,714,814 5/ 1929Plimpton 248-221 X 2,844,643 7/ 1958 Cofer et al. 248-221 X 2,855,64010/1958 Rolen 52-714 X 3,190,406 t6/1965 Usher 'et al 52-695 X HARRISONR. MOSELEY, Primaly Examiner.

I. K. BELL, Assistant Examiner.

4. A CONNECTING ASSEMBLY FOR INTERCONNECTING A PAIR OF STRUCTURALMEMBERS, SAID CONNECTING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A BRACKET HAVING A PAIR OFFLANGES ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO ONE OF SAID STRUCTUREL MEMBERS AND ABUTTHE SURFACE THEREOF AND A WEB STRUCTURE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREOF AWAYFROM SAID MEMBER; AND CONNECTOR MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT AN END OF THEOTHER STRUCTURAL MEMBER FOR CONNECTION TO SAID BRACKET WEB STRUCTURE,SAID CONNECTOR MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF STRAPS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROMTHE END OF SAID STRUCTURAL MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO LIE ON OPPOSITE FACESOF SAID WEB STRUCTURE FOR CONNECTION THEREWITH, ONE OF SAID STRAPSCOMPRISING A Z-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE LEG OVERLYING THEEND OF SAID OTHER STRUCTURAL MEMBER, SAID CONNECTOR MEANS INCLUDING AUSHAPED STRAP HAVING A PAIR OF LEGS SECURED TO SAID OTHER STRUCTURALMEMBER AND A BIGHT PORTION OVERLYING SAID INTERMEDIATE LEG OF SAIDZ-SHAPED STRAP.